Indicating dial assembly



May 9, 1933. R, M, HElNTZ 1,907,806

INDICATING DIAL ASSEMBLY Filed ApIil 25, 1932 INVENTOR, PAL PH M. hE/N TZ.

ATTORNEY Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT opme RALPH M. rrnm'rz, or PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO nnru'rz a xnurman, j LTD., or SAN rannorsoo, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION or NEVADA INDICATING DIAL ASSEMBLY Application filed April 25,

My invention relates to an indicating dial assembly and more particularly to a dial assembly for use in controlling apparatus used in radio communication.

Among the objects of my invention are:

To provide a dial assembly for use on variable apparatus used in radio communication; to provide an indicating dial easily adjusted; to provide an indicating dial adjustable to cooperate with a panel; to provide an indicating dial which can be easily adjusted in reference to an index mark on a panel; and to provide a dial which can be locked in a predetermined position.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent or will be specifically pointed out in the description forming a part of this specification, but I do not limit myself to the embodiment of my invention herein described, as various forms may be adopted within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a face view of a dial embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken through the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken through line 33 of Figure 2.

In assembling the various parts of a radio transmitter on a panel, many of the pieces of apparatus, such as condensers, inductances and resistances, must be variably controlled, and are usually rotary-variable. It is customary in the art to use an indexing dial to control their rotation. Such variables are also commonly mounted on the rear of the panel with their shafts projecting to the front, and the control knob and dial are mounted on the end of the projecting shaft. The removal of such variables from the rear of the panel necessitates the dismounting of the dial. A quick and easy method of replacing such dials, which must be adjustable to the panel and index, is greatly to be desired.

Broadly speaking my invention comprises ,a dial which can be precisely ad justed to a panel of the type carrying a raised index ring. The shaft from a varia- 50 ble is extended through the panel in the 1932. Serial No. 607,296.

ing a dial is placed over the cone. Pres-a5 I sure against the knob is appliedby a small nut, forcing the inner taper of the knob over the cone. This action squeezes the split cone, the cone binds on the shaft and the entire assembly is locked. i .130

A preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in'the drawing. Apanel 1, preferably of metal, is provided witha raised index ring 2. On this ring is an index mark 3, and the top 4 and inside wall 5 are pref-, erably machined to .a smooth finish. Projecting through an aperture 6 in the panel, concentric with theindex ring, is the end of ashaft 7, part of any variable which 'it is desired to rotate. The end of the shaftjo is provided with threads9, and it is desirable that all shafts be threaded alike.

A split cone 10 is screwed on the threads on this shaft. At least one out 11 should be made entirely through the cone, and several other partial cuts 12 are desirable to promote flexibility. A knob 13, preferably of metal, is givena taper bore lat-which is complementary to the cone, i.e., ofvthe same angle as the taper of the split cone. Thel so knob is placed over the cone, and is held against it by nut 15, screwed on the end of the shaft threads.

Attached to the knob is a dial 16 held in place by screws 17. This'dial is preferably formed of bakelite or similar material easily engraved, and carries reference marks 19 on its periphery. The type and spacing of the reference marks used will, of course, be dictated by the type of variable to which, the knob is attached.

In operation the variables are assembled on the back of the panel. Bracket 20 carrying bearing 21, represents the fixation of the shaft. This arrangement is schematic, the actual arrangement being dependent on the construction of the variable element, which, since it forms no part of this invention, is not shown. Screws 25 locate the shaft concentric with the index ring 2.

set myhaiid.

The split cone is next threaded onto the shaft, and the knob with its attached dial is placed over the shaft and cone. By trial the position on the shaft of the cone is found where the plane of the dial is even Withthe finished top face of the index ring. The knob and dial are then rotated Without rotating the cone until the index mark 3 on the panelring. coincides With the desired reference marlron the dial. Nut 15 is then tightened. This action forces the taper of the knob to apply a squeezing pressure on the cone, and the split allows the cone to contract and grip the shaft tightly. At the same time frictionof the complementary surfaces hold the knob tightly on the cone.

Inthis manner the dial assembly is solidly lockedfto the shaft of the ariable, adjusted properly longitudinally and in azimuth 2O with respect'to the panel. I claim: I

lfAn indicating dial assembly comprising'the combination With a panel, of an index ring" raised from the plane of the panel, a'threaded shaft to be controlled concentric with said'ring, a split cone threaded on said shaft, a knob having a taper bore complemen'tary to said cone, an indicating dial lca'rried by said knob, and a nut for forcing the bore of said knob over said cone to seize said shaft Wherebyfsaid indicating dial may be ,adjusted fangularly and longitudinally I witlii espect 'to said index ring.

' I 2. An'in dicfating dial assembly comprising the combination with a panel, of an index ringiraised from the plane of said panel, a threaded shaft to be controlled, concentric with said-ring, a split cone threaded on said shaft, alinob havinga taper bore comple- Ine'ntary to'said cone, an indicating dial includingga peripheralscale carried by said knob, said dial being positioned inside of said index ring, ,and a nut for forcing the bore of, said knob over "said cone ,to seize said sl1aft. Wliei'eby said indicating dial may be adjusted angularly and also longitudin- "ally to inaintain said peripheral scale flush avith the; top of said index ring irrespective of the angular adjustment.

In testimony v vh ereof, I have hereunto I RALPH M. HEINTZ. 

